Rolla Community Matters December 2014

Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor

December 2014

‘Believe’

By Bruce Shogren, Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America president and CEO

As I look forward to the holiday season, one word is key to this season: “believe.”

I truly believe in three key people: Jesus Christ, Santa Bruce Shogren Claus and the employees of the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America system.

What could be more important than Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ?

I grew up in a church in which every Sunday we would state our belief by reciting the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord,Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of theVirgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of CEO, continued on page 2

One of the many mice who raised more than $8,000 for the Good Samaritan Program at Rolla Presbyterian Manor.

Fund Racers Speedy mice raise money Good Sam Program Dozens of mighty mice ran to raise more than $8,000 for Rolla Presbyterian Manor’s Good Samaritan Program at the Mouse Race event in October. The evening included dinner, drawings, mouse roulette and other unusual games.

“Our thanks to everyone who attended, the sponsors who named the mice and our Advisory Board members, including Mary Bahr who made cookies for the event,” said Marketing Director Joelle Freeland.

Proceeds will benefit the Good Samaritan Program, which helps Presbyterian Manor residents who have out-lived their financial resources. Contributions help make it possible for residents to continue to live at Rolla Presbyterian Manor regardless of their ability to pay.

The race setup was provided by the Trifecta organization of St. Charles, Mo. The mice ran in lanes that were stacked vertically in a tall box with a window on one side for viewing. Local businesses, organizations and individuals sponsored 36 mice to compete in six races. Those winners then raced in a final championship round.

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sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

This belief statement says it all for me and has been the guiding statement throughout my life. It has given me the ability to believe in the power of prayer, which has really been needed daily as my wife was healing in the hospital and at home. This Christmas season, I pray you reflect on that night long ago when Jesus was born and you continue to realize the impact his birth has had on all our lives.

Community Matters

is published monthly for residents and friends of Rolla Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org Ann Caudill, executive director Joelle Freeland, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Joelle Freeland at lfreeland@pmma.org.

Telephone: 573-364-7336 Fax: 573-364-7336 Address: 1200 Homelife Plaza, Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

RollaPresbyterianManor.org

My second key belief is in the spirit of Santa Claus. Santa has always been a big part of my family’s Christmas celebrations, dating back to when I was a little one. Santa has always come out of the fireplace in the house I grew up in in Lindsborg, Kansas. It is quite the spectacle to see the Jolly Old Elf come out of PaPa Har’s (my dad’s) fireplace to deliver gifts to all the good girls and boys of the Shogren family after losing his pants once again. “Har, when are you going to fix your chimney,” Santa states every year to the delight of all in the room.You have to be there to really experience it and believe it.

But the actual thrill in believing in the spirit of Santa Claus is to be a “Santa Helper.” To see the joy in the eyes of a child when he or she sits on Santa’s lap, to experience a surprise appearance by Santa is unforgettable whether it is to children or adults, to give an unexpected and thoughtful gift which says “I know you” is pure happiness for the giver, the receiver and those watching, and the best is when someone will ask with a wink and whisper in Santa’s ear, “Who are you, really?” and Santa gets to tell them the truth: You are really Santa Claus. Priceless!

Finally, my third and final belief is in the employees of the PMMA system in providing the care and services to you. Being on the side of receiving care in the past year by a caring hospital nursing and health care staff, I appreciate even more the PMMA staff throughout our system that daily provide the health care, friendship, caring and a whole lot more to you, our residents.

Please join me in thanking your community’s staff for their commitment to our mission, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

As I close my letter, let me wish that you know the blessing of being a child of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of caring for others, and that you still hear the bell ring and truly believe.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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Fall activities

Above: LouAma Bingham helps set up Thanksgiving dinner decorations.

Left, top: Residents Jean McFarland, Beth Lorey, and Maryl’s Sinnott had two special visitors recently for a card game. Visitor Kay Howell brought her Gray African Congo.

Beth, an animal lover, invited her friend Kay to play cards and requested she bring her bird along as she had not seen it in some time. Kay set up her bird’s perch nearby and the bird watched the women play cards and entertained passersby.

Left, middle: Nurse Alma Short works a puzzle with Ruth Anderson in Tranquility House, the Manor’s memory care neighborhood, where one-on-one interaction and person-centered care is a priority.

Left: Activity Director Kathe Hooton arrange for the Road Riders of Rolla to visit residents on a Friday evening.

Residents made Halloween snacks for their guests. Resident Zola Knoblock used to ride her son’s motorcycle and always loved the freedom she felt from riding.

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Celebrating the birth of a Savior By the Rev. Allen Teal, Rolla Presbyterian Manor chaplain

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior...” Luke 2:11 No experience inspires more hope for the future than gazing into the innocent eyes of a newborn infant. A fresh human life enters the world with decades of future potential. Every great man and woman started life this way. Some were born with many of life’s opportunities already in place for them, but many had to labor relentlessly for everything they attained. The baby born in the stable two millennia ago was in humble surroundings, yet destined for eternal greatness.

Christmas inspires us to remember when hope was born as a baby.

We decorate our homes with bright and beautiful lights to celebrate Christmas.

These lights remind us that God sent his light into this world. They also speak of the stars that shone down on the night when Jesus was born, and the star that led the wise men to Christ. In these lights, we can recall the angels who lit up the sky to The Rev. Allen Teal share the joyful announcement with the shepherds that the Savior was born in the city of David.

Gifts are given at Christmas. Some are extravagant. Others are whimsical. Many are practical. The presents point toward God’s great gift of salvation to humanity in the form of his Son. We exchange gifts following the guidance of the scripture: “Freely you have received; freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Christmas trees are decorated and adorn homes throughout the season. The evergreen speaks of eternal life. It reminds us that Christ was described as coming from a linage of King David that seemed as a dead stump, but life appeared. He continues to bring life from death in the lives of many believers.

This same baby has become more than the savior of mankind.

Our home will be furnished with overstuffed Christmas stockings, a tree hidden by too many gifts and a meal that could feed a small army. Every Christmas seems to go this way in our family. As I look around during the early quiet on Christmas morning before the stockings are emptied, the gifts are opened and the food is consumed, I will take a moment to reflect on God’s blessings. They have been graciously bestowed on me and my family. I will once again be extremely thankful for a Savior that has delivered far more than the hope of salvation into my blessed life through Jesus Christ.

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Independent living drives expansion plans This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.

The desire for more independent living drove expansion for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America in the late 1980s.

Duplex or apartment projects were approved for the campuses in Sterling, Wichita, Topeka, Parsons, Arkansas City and Lawrence. Existing spaces were renovated in Sterling, Arkansas City, Kansas City and Newton, and a new health care center was constructed in Newton.

Wichita received funds for and constructed a chapel.

Community interest and persistence led to the development of a campus in Emporia. Ground was broken on May 22, 1984, and Emporia Presbyterian Manor campus opened in 1986.

Construction started on a new campus in Dodge City in a joint venture with the CSJ Health System of Wichita, Kan. The new campus, adjacent to St. Mary of the Plains College, was named Manor of the Plains. In conjunction with the closing of St. Mary of the Plains campus in 1992, Presbyterian Manors Inc. acquired CSJ Health System’s joint venture interest in Manor of the Plains and became the sole owner.

PMMA’s dream of providing services for severely physically handicapped adults became a reality when Hutchinson Heights opened in 1986.

The 1980s also brought serious conversations about the relationship between Presbyterian Manors of Mid-

America and the synods of the Presbyterian Church as well as increased competition in the senior care market.

Board minutes from 1986 demonstrate PMMA’s desire to keep the ties with the Synod of Mid-America and individual Presbyterian churches strong.

In 1989, the original United Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas Inc. (Newton), and the other separate Kansas Manor corporations, (Arkansas City, Clay Center, Emporia, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manor of the Plains, Parsons, Salina, Sterling, Topeka and Wichita) and Presbyterian Manors of Missouri Inc. (Farmington, Fulton and Rolla) were merged to form Presbyterian Manors Inc. In 1990, an office building was constructed in northeast Wichita and the headquarters of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc. moved from Newton to Wichita.

Seeking ‘angels’ for Good Samaritan Program Christmas angel ornaments – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the holiday decorations at Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s senior living communities.

Donors responding to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal letter mailed in November include paper angel ornaments with their gifts. Each ornament will then be displayed at the PMMA community designated by the donor.

During the past two years, angel donors have given more than $94,000 to the Good Samaritan Program, which assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own.

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Rolla Presbyterian Manor 1200 Homelife Plaza Rolla, MO 65401-2595 Return Service Requested

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The winners were: • Race 1: Ratlicious Rose, sponsored by Beehive Florist and Gifts • Race 2: Bill Stoltz, sponsored by Central Federal Savings and Loan • Race 3: Mouse News, sponsored by The Rolla Daily News • Race 4: Dr. Denbo, sponsored by Phelps County Regional Medical Center Above: Haylee Barnes wins a Sonic Toothbrush at the Mouse Races.

Left: Sandy and Greg Fuller are the big winners at the Mouse Races winning the 50-inch flat screen T.V.

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• Race 5: Minnie, sponsored by Phelps County Bank • Race 6: Dugie, sponsored by Dale and Janece Martin • Race 7: Mouse News then won the race of all six champions.

The three winners of the prize drawings were: Rhonda Teague, iPad Mini; Haylee Barnes, Philips Sonicare toothbrush; and Greg and Sandy Fuller, 50-inch flat-screen television.